Judge orders newspapers open archives for Penelopegate probe

A French judge has asked several weekly newspapers to search their archives to help determine whether the wife of former French presidential candidate François Fillon was present and worked at certain events, Le Monde reported Wednesday.

The office of Serge Tournaire, the judge investigating allegations Fillon employed his wife for work she may not have done, asked Le Perche, Sablé News, L’Orne Hebdo and Le Petit Courrier-L’Echo of the Loir Valley to pass along articles that referred to Penelope Fillon’s participation in events such as inaugurations, official ceremonies and visits to hospitals and nursing homes between 1998 and 2016.

Fillon was indicted in March for her role in the fake jobs scandal, which helped derail her husband’s presidential campaign. She faces charges of concealment of public funds and abuse of social property. Her husband is also under formal investigation.